Epidemiological data on head trauma in Europe

Objective

The primary objective of the study was to test whether there is a general downward trend in the number of head injuries in Europe.

Methods and procedures

The research design of the study was a retrospective, explorative orientating analysis. A comparison of 27 European countries is presented. They have been sourced from the World Health Organization.

Results

The mean percentage of all hospital admissions for intracranial trauma in Europe is 0.855 % (±SD 0.550; range 0.03 to 2.82 %). The highest rates of treatments due to intracranial injuries are found in the Czech Republic, Latvia and Lithuania, whereas in the new member states of the European Union, such rates have been falling since entry, and there has been an increase in countries such as Germany, Finland and Cyprus. The mean length of in-hospital stay due to intracranial trauma in Europe is 6.79 days (±SD 2.95).

Conclusions

There is no general decrease in the number of treated patients due to head injuries. There are serious regional differences and there is a need for preventive and informative action throughout Europe.